Jordin Sparks is a treasure.

Her voice is stunningly beautiful.

So, I was really looking forward to this movie and hearing her belt some Christmas tunes….

Plus, this poster does look like she’s sitting at a piano in front of a skyline faded into piano keys, right?

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ It took almost the whole entire movie to get into this pairing. I tried. I tried real hard….but I can name the 2 scenes that I felt any chemistry between Lou & Kyle: 1. The way he looked at her when she sang. 2. When Kyle asked her out ….but even that immediately fizzled out as soon as she said no. I mean, do you like this girl or not? No fight? …..Their Kiss 💋 was good at the end, but then it got awkward again…. Oof.

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️ I cannot with this story. It was an absolute “typical” Hallmark plot….but why oh WHY DID THEY MAKE JORDIN SPARKS A WRITER?!?? It made no sense especially since they had her sing multiple times throughout the movie. Even my daughter said, “I think she’s going to be a singer!” Lou was just more natural and vibrant when she sang (even when she was dancing around the Christmas tree…she looked more natural) AND apart from all that, the constant repetition of “I need to go to NY” got soooo old. Can’t you write anywhere?

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ Lou’s dad and mom were super supportive and encouraging even though they knew they would miss her. Kyle’s aunt was very sweet too….but honestly, none of them really stood out to me as memorable.

FEELS ❤️❤️I felt like the Grinch watching this movie….my heart only grew three sizes when Jordin sang. and she sang twice

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️there was nothing really that surprising at all about this movie. Will she go to New York to be novelist? She talked about it so much I couldn’t take it anymore. The only surprise to me was that they didn’t have her pursue a career in singing!! I mean, look at that poster and tell me it doesn’t look like they are sitting by a piano

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. A Christmas time capsule. Hmm….sounds kind of interesting. I don’t really get the items they had in Pine Grove, but idea is still intriguing

9/25 Not a keeper for me. I think I’ll just key up Jordin Sparks playlist and listen to her sing this Christmas season.

I want you all to gather your family around and sit down to watch this movie. I would say I didn’t stop smiling the entire time….but that would be a lie because this family made me cry tears of joy on this journey!

So, full disclosure….Andrew Walker is my favorite favorite FAVORITE Hallmark leading man. I won’t deny it. I won’t shy away from it. I haven’t seen a single movie he is in that has changed this opinion, soooo……do you think he lived up to that expectation in this one???

Um, say yes, Say Yes, SAY YES!!!!!!

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Vanessa & Kristopher….you sweet, sweet kids. A.W., you did again. GAHH, I love that man! Here is the thing though…..this love story was such a small part of the overall movie, but the time they had together was adorable. LOVED how Kris asked her out on a date….loved how he looks at her (that’s an A.W. staple) He’s such a great young suitor! Loved loved LOVED Vanessa’s gift to him and the ending scene was absolute perfection. Hey, they weren’t the only ones falling in love 😉

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I love the “current events” storylines that Hallmark tackles! The concept of finding your family through a DNA match is genius to base a movie on right now! I was invested from the get go! Aimee Teagarden is just the cutest thing! She had me on the edge of my seat rooting for her to have this new found family. I loved all of the traditions and fun the incorporated….I mean, I want to be a part of it too! The excitement and then the let down….and the perfect happy ending made the whole movie feel like it was longer than 2 hours! They fit so much heart and soul into it! SO SO GOOD!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I was enthralled with this whole cast! James. Tupper. thank you , sir. This movie was MADE by your performance. What a sweet man. Well, the whole darn family was….but, I digress…… THIS DAD. I mean, I know it’s Hallmark, but a child you never knew existed and you welcome her into your home and family at Christmas and turn out to be DAD O’ THE CHRISTMAS EXPLOSION! He was so darn Jolly and Happy and I couldn’t help but smile every time he was on the screen. (plus, he ain’t too hard on the eyes himself 😉 ) Pauline, Caitlyn, Emilia, Aidan…the whole Hendricks clan….loved almost every second. The sisters made my heart swell in their moments with Vanessa! It was so touching watching them open their hearts to their new big sis. Gosh! So many good scenes! I want to see next year’s Christmas with this fam! Even Judy 2! 😉

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️From the beginning of Vanessa’s quest to meet her family all the way to the end….my heart was in my throat. This story was told so well! Every time Vanessa connected with Richard or Caitlyn or Emilia….every time Richard (Mr. Christmas) introduced a NEW Christmas activity….the Christmas gift openings…..The way they all fell in love with each other! There was just so many moments that touched my heart….and so many moments that had me smiling as big as that blow up Santa! A whole spectrum of feels!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The entire ending was unexpected for me! I really did not think it would turn out the way it did….so many twists! Is she? Isn’t she? And the picture to prove it! They got me! Also, did you see? The family actually praying??? Our family prays the same way before every meal holding hands! Loved That! *****PLEASE tell me you caught the completely unexpected cameo by another handsome Hallmark gentleman! He delivers their coffee at the beginning of the movie…..Mr. Tyler Hynes!!!! Oh my! I was flipping out when I saw it….I rewound and took a video on my phone! Pretty sly though……many people I talked to didn’t notice it

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. This Family was all about going BIG! BIG Santa! Big Candy Canes! BIG BOWS EVERYWHERE! I might do those bows! on the front of the doors on the back of the doors….randomly on a wall….. Loved it!
2. Norwegian traditions and food! One of my aunts makes lefse (yummy) Good Yule!

25/25 My favorite this year so far! It had everything! And I mean EVERYTHING! A sweet love story of an entire family and an adorable couple. Good Yule! Good Yule!

Well, this was unexpected.

When I see my girl, Alison Sweeney, front and center on the cover of a movie poster, I am expecting sassy and spunky and feisty and fun to be had….this is not what Open By Christmas delivered.

Also, I’m not quite sure that this movie didn’t belong in the Miracles of Christmas line up over on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries….it was much more serious and heartfelt than a rom-com in my book.

A story of a long lost Christmas Card love note mystery…..that I ended up not even caring about at all…. hmmmm

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️The last 5 minutes of this movie is what put Nicky & Derrick on the heart map…but juuuust barely. Listen, my love for Sami Alison runs so so so deep. _{(remember our first born daughter is named Samantha….not a coincidence)} But, she has STRENGTHS and I felt like they just weren’t used in this paring. I also enjoy Brenden Elliot….but, you see…..I just couldn’t believe this Nicky character being so down her luck in love…and the two of them together just didn’t spark for me. I actually think their acting was spot on to the characters they were playing, but if you don’t use Alison’s spunk, I just feel like you are wasting this girls’ talented…..then they had to go and CRY in the final scene and give us a real kiss. I mean, where were those two all movie????

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️There were so many interesting things going on here! I know the main plot was about the found Christmas card love note….but I was 100% more invested in Simone’s life. I know it’s because I’m a mom….and a wife….so I totally related to her worries about her son growing up/pulling away/becoming more independent. I think about that a lot. Makes me so sad. Ugh. See? I also loved the way they told the story of Simone and Miriam. It was so honest and touching how they came to understand each other. This movie really had two fully separate storylines running parallel throughout. I loved Nicky Simone’s friendship…true and life long. Really different concept!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️As I said…Simone was so much more a part of this movie than a supporting cast member…feel like she should have been on the poster too! Simone and Miriam nailed their roles. Even when they started getting along and understanding one another, I love that Miriam didn’t totally change her personality….still reserved and quietly judgy 😉 I loved the Jeremy/Anthony relationship and story too. This was all so very different from many-a-Hallmark movie.

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️What got me is how I felt the feels in all the parts I wasn’t expecting to. I come into these movies wanting the love story….I didn’t get what I wanted from this one, but I still got some BIG feels in other parts of the story. ALL the mom feels for Simone…ugh, why do our babies have to grow up?!?!?! I absolutely LOVED the surprise Jeremy was able to pull of for Simone. I knew that was coming and STILL got excited like I was getting a new house! Obviously, the last scene between Nicky & Derrick was so touching. Man, they didn’t have to bottle that all up until the very end though!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️This whole cast and movie surprised me. Especially since I didn’t even find myself caring about the main characters as much as I thought I would. It wasn’t kitschy or cheesy at all….so honestly, the big surprise for me is that it was billed as a rom-com.

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. My Christmas gift-giving game is weak. Can you imagine gifting someone a whole darn house….completely furnished? Decorated for Christmas? With a big party? WOW!
2. I would totally make my 15 year old get that pic with Santa. Lay off Miriam, Nicky, Jeremy, and anyone else that stands in my way. Traditions are traditions, yo.

22/25 I didn’t get what I came for, but I ended up leaving with a heartfelt story just the same. It was a solid Hallmark heart grabber for me….just not the fiery love story I expected.

I loved the first Mrs. Miracle adaptation back in 2009 with James Van Der Beek & the absolute treasure Doris Roberts as Madame Merkle. Oh, what a joy that woman was! New installments or sequels are always hard to rate without bias….but I will do my very best.

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Ugh. Will & Angie made me cry right along side of them. This pairing was so so SO good together. It’s hard to compare long standing couple’s chemistry against the majority of Hallmark movies where new love is portrayed….but the struggles and triumphs of an established married husband and wife can hit you right in the heart if done well….and Kaitlyn Doubleday & Steve Lund got this ALL RIGHT! My heart is still wrenched, but the fact that they got their miracle(s) capped off the most beautiful love story in the end!

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Oh my goodness! I would say I can’t imagine the amount of families and couples that watched this story unfold with tears flowing as it mirrored their own journey to parenthood….but I can….because I know many of them personally and love them like crazy. I cannot speak first hand to going through the foster and adoption system, so I won’t claim to be an expert…but I know having this story told so beautifully grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. In addition to that, the love and care given to Nana was just too sweet for words. Loving our family in every generation is so very important. In contrast, the strained relationship Angie had with her father…and it’s mending. 5 hearts all around!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I’m not sure if you can consider Gloria a supporting cast member since the whole darn movie is named after her, but I’m going to talk about her here anyway. Caroline Rhea was a fabulous Mrs. Miracle. Was she Doris Roberts? No….who could be? But, she brought her own flair to the role, and I still loved her…even if it was a different feel. Here’s what I thought was so poignant: what I felt was missing from the void of Doris Roberts’ Mrs. Miracle ….was filled with the Sweetness of Paula Shaw as Nana. She reminded me so much of my late grandmother and made me smile….from her stubbornness to her scheming. 🙂

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️AND this is when I want to break my own rules and add more hearts! I feel like I’ve talked about FEELS in every category. This whole movie had me feeling. My heart clenched. Tears poured down my cheeks. SO MANY FEELS! This is what Hallmark movies are made of, my friends. The saddest of sads….and the joy-est of joys.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Tackling such heart-aching REAL topics of infertility, fostering, adoption, elder care, strained family relationships due to grief…..they did it all with such grace and care. I was so moved by it all.

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. I have to talk about the cabinet boughs. Like, every single kitchen cabinet had one. I still can’t decide if I love it or hate it.
2. I really need an angel to tell me and my husband to go out on a date and then put up all our outdoor Christmas Lights.

25/25 I just can’t think of a reason to dock this movie for anything. My heart was in my throat the entire time. I don’t think I can take watching it again….but that’s just because it was so well done, and I don’t want to cry that much.

Alright, so the movie poster alone had me excited for this one….

add to that the concept of time travel with Christopher Lloyd & Lea Thompson as a part of the story had my Back to the Future-80s baby-heart all aflutter….
AND an added extra dose of Days of Our Lives Will Horton to the mix….

I actually tempered my joy when I sat down to watch. I felt like I wasn’t going to be a very objective reviewer for you guys.

but, Y’ALL. THIS WAS SO GOOD! I know you will agree with me on this!

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each: 

CHEMISTRY (between the leads) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ WOW! First of all, Chandler Massey & Lyndsy Fonseca. WELCOME TO HALLMARK! (_{Will, did your mom, Sami, get you this gig?} 😉 ) I loved every single second of Ben & Angie on my screen. Ben was so cute and funny and so in love with this girl. Angie really was such a lost soul in so many aspects of her life that her being unaware was actually believable! My only complaint is I wanted MORE MORE MORE of them in the new present. GAH! but, the frosty jewelry box…Ben as Santa…the two of them together at the ball… “My heart’s always been somewhere else”. BEN! WE KNOW! We all know! Now, I normally don’t add the “other” part of the love triangle in here, but our boy, Tyler Grant, sportscaster extraordinaire….he was in so much of this movie, I am making an exception. He also nailed his role….but I HAVE TO ASK THIS: Did any of you think that physically….he and Angie (or I guess I should say Lyndsy Fonseca & Eric Freeman, the actors themselves) LOOKED like they could be related???? I could not get past this in my brain. They looked like twins, or at least siblings…. Yes? No? Am I crazy?

STORYLINE❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (overall plot of the movie) LOVED IT ALL! I really do enjoy a good time travel movie….and this was a clever spin on it being only 10 years difference. I loved that we were brought into every aspect of Angie’s life. Her relationship with her sister and in turn, her sister’s family’s struggles….her parent’s relationship….her own relationships and work/life balance. It amazed me how they fit all of this into a normal Hallmark movie time frame! Just goes to show how a well written/acted/directed script can make a brilliant movie. And, yes, I am still talking about a Hallmark movie…..but I almost felt like I was watching a feature film. That good.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ YES TO THE WHOLE CAST! All of you, take a bow. Christopher Lloyd as the Train Conductor weaved this whole plot together …loved his words of wisdom and his smiles and winks and all the things! Mom & Dad and their story…Sister/BIL and their story, plus could little Henrik BE ANY CUTER??? Aunt Myrt! One Life to Live Queen! I fell in love with you all!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ This ties right in with the supporting cast…Every storyline just spoke to my heart. Mom & Dad struggling to figure out life after the kids grow up….Peter & Kristin’s heartbreak with infertility and feeling alone and helpless….the sisters and their disconnected relationship…..Ben’s life long love for his best friend…and oh my goodness…..running after that train!!!! AHHH!!!! I just couldn’t with the thought of those 10 years. I mean, even after the conclusion of the movie, I was pondering how everything changed and shook out….when did they get together for real??? Can we get a sequel that fills in the 10 year gap for us??? Please!!!! Also, I laughed out loud at may of Chandler & Lyndsy’s lines/interactions. Bring these two back!

HALLMARK SURPRISE ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I knew it was gong to be a time travel movie….I wasn’t prepared for how they went about it. Popping in and out of the train into different times and places. This was so unique! But mostly, the way it all ended had my jaw on the floor. I can’t believe he didn’t catch the train…..and then everything was perfect…and different….and fixed…and magical….and left me wanting more! Well done!

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Did you wonder why they kept showing the outside of the families house? All decorated and lit up? I was like, yes, I know I need to up my Christmas Lights game….I know……but then, and I almost missed it…..the GINORMOUS Gingerbread house replica????? Whaaaaa?????? So amazing.
2. I just need a Christmas Ball in my life. that’s all.

24/25 AMAZING!!!! I think I missed certain things, and honestly it was just so adorable. I originally had it at 25/25 but I had to take one heart off off because the end just wasn’t enough for me. Next Stop, watching this movie again!